In June 1944 the greatest invasion force ever assembled came ashore in Normandy – D-Day and the start of the liberation of France holds a special place in the hearts of the residents of Normandy. Special events are held every year around 6 June as the French remember and celebrate the courage and sacrifice of those who began the liberation of France.

The many museums and commemorative sites in the region include Coastal battery installations, the Liberation Museum at Cherbourg, the Airborne Museum at Sainte-Mere- Eglise and the actual beaches themselves. There are many places that are well worth a visit - some are listed below:

• The Caen Memorial is the only museum in the world that offers an historic journey through the 20th century, from the Second World War to the world at the time of the cold war to the present day – ending with an area dedicated to peace.
• Arromanches 360 ° - shows a film, The Price of Freedom, on 9 screens in a circular cinema. This mixes unreleased footage from war correspondents filmed on D-Day with present day pictures shot on location in now peaceful settings. We have visited with a number of our visitors and found it fascinating and moving - well worth a day out.
• Museum du Debarquement at Arromanches has been built on the site where the artificial port – the Mulberry Harbour – was installed after D-Day. A fascinating insight into this gigantic achievement.
• The Battle for Normandy Museum in Bayeux, a few minutes from the D-Day landing beaches, retraces the Battle of Normandy from 7 June to 29 August 1944. It offers a chronological historical circuit through these events, alternating between thematic spaces and a presentation of the numerous uniforms and the equipment from that time in the museum's 2000 m².
• Pegasus Bridge , just north of Caen, was the first place in France to be liberated. The men of the 6 th British Airborne Division landed in gliders and captured this vital bridge, holding it until the troops arrived from the D-Day beaches.
• We also recommend a visit to the various war cemeteries - the American Cemetery at Omaha Beach is particularly moving.

Click here for more suggestions for great days out in Normandy